Home sweet home

(I do apologise these pictures aren't the best quality)

I finally arrived home on the 23rd after the worst journey ever but my mood lightened as soon as I was in 'northern territory' with my family haha. Ever since I've been home I have been so happy which got me thinking that I really want to move back home, so next year that is exactly what I'm gonna do. Tom and I have spoke about it and he obviously wants me to be happy but we are going to try the whole long distance and we will take turns driving to visit each other so hopefully all will turn out. Anyway... I had such a good Christmas and I was so happy with the presents I got and also gave. My dad got truly spoilt and his face was priceless as my brother and I got him a HP tablet, personalised whiskey tumbler, some pants (haha) and a 'baldy buffer' as a joke, considering he only asked for some pants and socks you can tell he wasn't expecting to open these gifts. I got my brother a toy Lamborghini as he wants one, Zoo Tycoon game on Xbox One, an Addidas box set and the guinness world records 2013 book and then we got our Mam a coffee machine and a cute little PJ set. So overall, I think this year we did pretty damn good. Once dinner had been eaten -may I add I think we are the only family who listen to ACDC and Deaf Leopard on Xmas day- we then got ready to visit my Dad's parents through Darlington and I was excited as I was gonna meet my new baby cousin Marcus for the first time. Christmas day this year was lovely and I'm blessed to have such a good family to have spent it with. Coming on to Boxing day now and obviously this was the day I was planning on getting a little drunk spending it with all my friends... So Faye and I decided to go through to Middlesbrough to do some shopping but we got that annoyed we ditched the shops and headed for the pub and treat ourselves to some wine which was probably a bad move as the time was ticking away and we had less time to try and find something to wear for the night. Eventually we ended up buying the exact bits we saw right at the start which weren't in the sale as we couldn't even be bothered to try and find something in there. In the end I bought a sequin tee from Topshop and a plain bodycon skirt from Primark as I had left the majority of my 'going out' clothes back in Plymouth along with some heels so then I bought some nice cheapy heels from a random shop. Once we got back to Hartlepool we had to get ready straight away as we were heading to our friends 18th party, we got there about 9pm then around 11pm we were in a taxi heading to town. I had such a bloody good night out and saw so many old friends it was lovely, again another reason why I want to move back as I just miss everything. So what did you end up getting for Christmas? or giving? What are your plans for New Year?

XOXO

Happy birthday to me

(...well yesterday)

It only felt like yesterday when I was celebrating turning 18 and here I am one whole year later which to me is crazy how fast its all gone. This year, as being 19 isn't that much of a big deal I didn't really make any arrangements apart from that Tom and I were having an early Christmas as I'm heading home on the 23rd. On the 18th he picked me up after he had finished work around 11:30pm and we went to tesco to pick up all our bits and pieces for our Christmas dinner. The next morning I woke up to balloons which I wasn't expecting and 3 croissants with candles poked in them and Tom singing 'happy birthday' to me ha ha. After we had opened presents etc we then got ready to go to Costa for our favourite Christmas chocolate orange mocha latte whilst the turkey was cooking nicely in the oven. Tucking into our dinner we eventually got so stuffed we physically couldn't eat anymore and left quite a lot; oops. Afterwards we then went back to my house and chilled there for a while before I got ready to meet up with some work friends for a little drink. Overall my birthday was nothing big and spent with good people, especially Tom as he made it a very cute special day for me and I am so grateful for the presents him and his family got me.

(left to right) Lush Christmas gift set, lip gloss set, cake maker, full series of Skins, Polaroid camera, bottle of Pino Grigio Rosé, Vera Wang Princess set, Thornton's sticky toffee birthday cake, map print memory box, necklace and cupcake earphones... I am literally so happy with everything I got, but now I'm wondering whats waiting for me back home as my brother is constantly ringing, teasing me about the presents there. I'm sure he is more excited to give me it than I am so receive it and I'm confused as to what it possibly could be. My Polaroid camera I am absolutely in love with it, as soon as I opened it I got it out and snapped away at Tom. The quality of the photos are so good which neither me and Tom were expecting, but I've wanted one for a very long time now and Tom knew this ha ha,

another thing ticked off the bucket list.

XOXO

Welcome December

December is my favourite month simply because everything to me seems a lot happier and everything just looks so much prettier and cosy. The run up always seems like forever but then you blink and its a completely different year. Obviously Christmas has died out a bit in my family as both my brother and I are older which gives my Dad a rest and actually have a full nights sleep as the Santa faze has gone but regardless of that I just love how happy we all are. On the 24th a trip to the cinema to pass some time is a must and has been for quite a lot of years now. Afterwards we come home set out all our little Christmas snacks on the kitchen table, which obviously includes so many different chocolates and other various Christmas goodness. I then have a bubble bath then open my Christmas Eve present (which is always a new pair of PJs; obviously) after that I then pour a glass of milk and put some carrots and cookies on a plate and put it in the living room ha ha yep still... After that off to bed to watch a nice Christmas film which is usually Elf then sleepy time. Then violá I wake up and it's the 25th, hopefully this year I'm not going to be poorly and actually be able to eat my Christmas dinner... fingers crossed! This year I know it's gonna be different as I'm travelling back up north on the 23rd which is pretty bloody late but I'm just happy I can actually get home and be with my family for this time of the year. I'm also the most organised I've ever been this Christmas as I started buying presents in the middle of November. I still have quite a few to buy which I haven't a clue as I am needing main presents for Tom and my brother and I'm leaving it late as the days are flying by... oh and Tom and I are having our Christmas on my birthday which is the 19th with me going back home for Christmas, giving me less time to think. Brilliant. I am writing this blog post at 12:40PM so I do apologise if it makes no sense at all but in my defense I am full of cold, I finished work an hour ago and it's late ha ha.

I also advise you to go to your local garden centre as I can promise you it will be literally a winter wonderland filled with Christmas decorations in every nut and cranny. I quickly popped in to pick up some things for my Dad today and took a couple pictures. Being here makes me feel so festive and honestly gets me so excited for when I finally have my own place to decorate and as I walk around and see so many baubles I get so many ideas in my head.

Stay safe this winter 

XOXO

Bits & Bobs | Haul

As I popped into town today and spent a little money I thought I'd share a few things with you guys... because all the fall clothes are in I really wanted to buy a new, thick cuddly jumper so I went on a mission to find one. New Look, Topshop, River Island, H&M but none really appealed to me so I adventured back to New Look as they had the most variety and found this pale mint green colour, which once I tried it on I knew I wanted it and at a price of 14.99£ I couldn't really say no. It's such a practical item to have in your wardrobe as you can wear it so many ways... above a dress, a shirt with a cute collar poking through or simply with just some jeans/ leggings for a lazy day. Lush is becoming one of my favourite shops as I just can't seem to walk past it I MUST go in which is bad I suppose as it's getting harder to leave empty handed. I am not the best at describing smells but I will try, (I have listed prices below) starting with the pumpkin I did actually get this because it's literally the cutest thing ever not sure why its with all the Christmas things but the smell is just a bonus. Smells a little like sun tan lotion and oranges ha ha ha trust me it smells delicious. The pink fairy wand is brilliant, you have to stir the wand in your water, as if you're making a potion and it turns the water such a cute baby pink colour and then creates bubbles!!!! It smells very fruity and if you're a citrus lover this is a one for you. Oh and this can last up to 8 washes, or more if you ration it I suppose.The white ball has a hidden colour inside which I will leave it a secret but this one just reminds me of cleanliness if you even know what that smells like. Ok everythings beginning to smell the same as I've been smelling them for too long. The rainbow I purchased because it has Ylang Ylang oil in it and it is one of my favourite smells, it smells again fresh and fruity. The green ball is full of citrus fruits the main one I can smell which literally bursts out of the bag once I open it is lemon, oh my goodness its delicious. Another buy purely because its just so cute but the little Christmas penguin is again a fruity smell which as you can tell I do prefer the citrus smells over the rich, spicy ones. (Bit of advice: keep them in a nice bowl of some sort and leave them in your bedroom... they all combine together leaving your room smelling like one big magical smelly bath bomb kingdom) ha ha ha Finally we move onto Whittard Chelsea which has only just opened up in the mall so as soon as I found it I went straight in to purchase my Dreamtime tea. My dad buys all sorts of flavours so I use to drink all of his when I lived at home but this one was especially one of my favourites. It is literally exactly what it says on the tub. Honey, apricot and vanilla and you can serve it over ice for just a summer drink or with hot water for a 'soothing winter warmer'. The flavours are so strong and if you're a tea drinker like me I'd have a pop in Whittard Chelsea and try out some tea they're so worth the money as you get a huge tub (or there are smaller sizes if you want to try it out firstly).

Dreamtime flavour instant tea -Whittard Chelsea 5.50£

LUSH

Pumpkin bubble bar 2.75£

Magic wand bubble bar 4.95£

Dorothy bubble (rainbow) 3.25£

Avobath (green ball) 3.25£

The Christmas penguin bubble bar 2.95£

So white ballistic 3.25£

----

XOXO

Escaping reality for a while

Sometimes, you just gotta get away from the world for a little bit and relax.

Tom and I visited St. Ives for one night in the middle of October and it was so lovely. I couldn't believe how warm and sunny it was to be in Autumn/ Winter and only an hour and a half away from where I actually live. I felt like I was abroad, as you can see from some of the pictures. We stayed in a B&B called Little Leaf Guest House which was adorable, so clean and well kept. Although we only stayed for one night and could of quite happily stayed there forever it was still nice to get away until we had to drive back home for work the next morning. The beach and the sea are a perfect de-stressing combination, even just to be in complete different company for a while is relaxing. It's such a little, cute town and if you are anywhere near Cornwall I suggest you visit as you will fall in love. Tom's family visit here often and have done since Tom was young so he was the one who shown me this place the first time. Even if you somehow can't get to anywhere other than where you live I am pretty sure there will be some wonderful places with great views right on your door step. The images below are places in Devon where I live. Burrator Reservoir, Bigbury Beach and The Hoe (Plymouth).

XOXO

TRICK OR TREAT/ REMEMBER, REMEMBER

Halloween is one of my favourite times of the year. Purely because ever since I was a little girl I've always wanted to be a mythical creature of some sort... preferably a mermaid (just like Ariel). Although I've never really understood why we actually celebrated Halloween until this year, something about the Celtic festival of Samhain but I'm not gonna bore you with a history lesson, I just really enjoy how something silly, like dressing up in scary costumes brings people together. Halloween films are also some of my favourites too!! Especially, Hocus Pocus and Halloween Town. If you haven't seen them I advise you to, I promise you won't regret it ha ha ha. As much as I love Halloween I've actually never EVER carved a pumpkin (that I can remember) until this year 2013. So... I persuaded my boyfriend, Tom into going to Tesco, buying pumpkins and having a carving contest. I won of course as I wasn't scared to get my hands dirty unlike Tom who winged cause he couldn't get all the gunk out of the middle... wimp! Each year I watch YouTube tutorials online to try and get an idea of which type of costume I want to dress as. 2012 I was a skeleton as I fell in love with Bastille's Flaws music video, but this year I wanted to go something more 'pretty' lets put it so I went as a zombie doll. 

Also for Bonfire Night, my daddy came down and visited for a little while on the 4th. So, on the 5th I took him to the firework display and for the UK I have to say it was pretty damn good. Some of the fireworks were so bloody pretty, all the colours and shapes. Heart.FM were also there and they had music playing and about halfway through the display I actually realised the fireworks were going in time with the music as 'must be love' came on and then all the love hearts showed up in the sky. It was such a wintery night as we stood with my dad and Tom with their pints of larger and my teeny tiny plastic cup of wine ha ha ha, we thought a little bit of alcohol would warm us up but it didn't really work that well. After the display had finished and the bonfire was lit we decided to just walk back to the apartment as none of us were too keen on going on any of the rides what were there, other than the dodgems which Tom was persuading me to go on but I stood my ground as I feel like they give me whiplash (LOL) but going back then I believe was worth it as my dad slipped and fell down on the stairs right in front of everyone. Everything happens for a reason ha ha ha. I haven't laughed so much until I realised he hurt his back... ooopsy! 

Oh, I know this is soooooooo late considering its nearly the end of November but for my first blog post I wanted it to be something interesting and fun, not just a 'hello welcome to my blog' kind of thing, ha ha

What did you dress up as for Halloween this year? 

What did you do for Bonfire Night?

<3

XOXO